The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the populations of Asia,
Africa and Latin America use traditional medicine to meet their primary health
care needs. For many people in these countries, particularly those living in
rural areas, this is the only available, accessible and affordable source of
health care.

The 50th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa recognized the
importance and potential of traditional medicine for the achievement of health
for all. Participants urged accelerating the development of local production of
traditional medicines in order to improve access to health care for the African
Region. In 2000, the Regional Committee adopted the Regional Strategy on
Promoting the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems. Thus, the year
2010 marks a Decade since the Regional Strategy was adopted. It also marks the
end of the Decade on African Traditional Medicine (2001–2010) declared by
the Summit of Heads of State and Government in Lusaka in July 2001. The year
2010 also marks a Decade since the institution of African Traditional Medicine
Day on 31 August of every year as part of a strategy to boost the role of
traditional medicine in national health systems. The decision to observe such a
Traditional Medicine Day was endorsed by the Summit of Heads of State and
Government in Maputo in July 2003. Therefore, the theme chosen to mark the
“double anniversary” is: A Decade of African Traditional Medicine:
Progress so Far.